Reprinted VMware Sever cloning method _ Clone Virtual Machine with VMware Server 2.0

Follow the Chinese steps. Depending on the type of disk (. vmdk) that you have, the disk file referenced in. vmx file will actually be a small ASCII file that contains the details of the actual binary files. this is certainly the case when the disk is split into 2 GB chunks. if this is the case then you need to edit this. vmdk text file to change the file names in here too.

 

Guy Leech

 

We recommend that you format the hard disk in NTFS format. Because FAT32 supports only 2 GB hard disks, NTFS supports large hard disks.

VMware vExpert 2009

 

So you shoshould not choose the option "Split disk into 2 GB files" in file options that also means your disk where the vm-sys files located must be NTFS format. if it is FAT32 you shoshould choose this option and you cannt clone !!! -- Edit by me

 

1. Create target VM directory
First, create a directory for VM machine placement

2. Copy all files from source VM directory to target VM directory
Copy all files of an existing Virtual Machine

3. Rename all file prefixes in target directory to your new VM name
Rename the prefix. Note that you only need to change the prefix... "VM2-"-the preceding content.

4. In the VM console do a "Create Virtual Machine"
-Give it the same name as your target directory created above
-Select the relevant options through the following screens (O/S, memory, etc)
-When on the Hard Disk screen, select "Use an Existing Virtual Disk"
-Browse to and select the New_VM_Name.vmdk in your target directory
-Set the remaining options (network adapter, floppy, usb) and finish the wizard.
Return to the main interface and Click Create Virtual Machine to Create a new Virtual Machine.

Note:

1. Use the name changed in step 3.

2. Select related properties to set vm

3. Select an Existing Virtual Disk Use an Existing Virtual Disk .. This is not a virtual hard disk.

5. Go to the VM Console, highlight your new VM and do a "Remove Virtual Machine" (do not select the option to delete files)

Return to the VM console and remove the new VM. Be sure not to delete the file.

6. in your datastore folder in your filesystem you will see a newly created directory with three files only. if your target VM directory from step 1 was created here, you will have another directory of the same name but with a "_ 1" appended (e.g. new_VM_Name_1 ". copy the three files from this directory into your target directory from step 1 and overwrite the existing ones.

7. In the VM Console do an "Add Virtual Machine to Inventory". Select the target directory from step 1 and choose the New_Server_Name.vmx.

 

Use the "Add Virtual Machine to Inventory" option in the VM console, select the target folder, and select the new vmx file.

8. Start the VM from the console
Restart VM

9. at this point it's O/s specific and my example is for CentOS 4.7. you will need to reconfigure the VM for a new adapter with a new MAC (else you will get an error booting), as well as the network settings (IP, DNS, etc ). follow the steps below to do so.

-Upon booting you shoshould be promted by the application Kudzu about hardware changes. Hit any key within the alloted time to enter Kudzu.

-You will get a "Hardware Removed" screen regarding the old adapter settings. Select "Remove Configuration ".

-The next screen is "Hardware Added". Select "Configure" and configure the new IP address, DNS, etc.

9 '. at this point it's Win System specific and my example is for Windows Server 2003. you will see a information above when you power on the cloned system, just choose "move_it" and click OK button. -- Edit by me.

 

After the VM is restarted, enable power on, select choose "move_it", and select OK.

10. The server shocould now boot. After logging in, change your hostname in the DNS Settings of the Network app, or manualy edit/etc/sysconfig/network. Reboot.

Restart OK

11. Voila!

 

 

Some is oringal and some is copy form this community:

Http://communities.vmware.com/message/1132686